OAN Employees Brooke Mallory2:06 PM – Monday, December 29, 2025
President Donald Trump welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to his Mar-a-Lago resort on Monday for a closed-door assembly centered on addressing Israel’s issues over Iran’s ballistic missile program, along with advancing the at present fragile Gaza ceasefire.
The assembly included a closed-door session and a working lunch, adopted by a public press convention.
Netanyahu, who arrived in Florida the day earlier than, was anticipated to push for a more durable U.S. stance on Hamas disarmament and current intelligence on Iran’s efforts to rebuild its ballistic missile capabilities, which had been badly broken in earlier strikes, however are actually rumored by Israeli intelligence to be increasing.
The bilateral discussions come at a pivotal second because the U.S.-brokered truce in Gaza — carried out in October after a devastating two-year struggle — nonetheless faces challenges in transitioning to its complicated second section. Forward of the assembly, Trump instructed reporters that the leaders would handle “5 main topics,” with Gaza outstanding amongst them.
President Trump emphasised the necessity for Hamas to completely disarm earlier than advancing additional, in addition to expressing optimism about Gaza’s reconstruction, which Trump famous could be starting “fairly quickly.” Whereas the October ceasefire halted large-scale combating, Hamas and different Islamist teams nonetheless retain weapons and capabilities, together with rockets and small arms.
Ukraine
Earlier than diving into issues pertaining to the Jewish State, a reporter requested Trump in regards to the contemporary developments occurring in Ukraine, prompting Trump to reveal particulars of his earlier morning telephone dialog with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump famous that Putin had alerted him about an alleged Ukrainian drone assault on one among his presidential residences, which Putin claims occurred in a single day after the U.S.-Ukraine talks with Zelensky.
“I don’t prefer it, it’s not good. I heard about it this morning. You realize who instructed me about it? President Putin instructed me about it. Early within the morning he stated he was attacked. That’s no good, it’s no good,” Trump stated.
When pressed on whether or not U.S. intelligence had verified the assault, Trump responded that it was additionally “potential” the incident didn’t happen in any respect.
“Properly, we’ll discover out. You’re saying perhaps the assault didn’t happen? That’s potential, I assume, however President Putin instructed me this morning.”
Russian International Minister Sergei Lavrov later asserted that Moscow’s negotiating place to finish its struggle in Ukraine was below overview after the alleged assault, which he claims included 91 long-range drones. Lavrov added that each one drones had been destroyed by Russian air defenses, with no accidents or injury.
Trump described the decision with Putin as productive, general, however famous there stay “a couple of very thorny points” to resolve in brokering a Ukraine-Russia peace deal.
In response to studies, in response, Zelensky swiftly dismissed the Kremlin’s accusation as “an entire fabrication,” accusing Moscow of utilizing the declare to undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts and justify extra aggression in opposition to Ukraine.
Iran’s Ballistic Missile Manufacturing Services
Throughout their assembly at Mar-a-Lago, Trump additionally issued a blunt warning to Tehran, stating that if Iran makes an attempt to rebuild the nuclear amenities that had been almost destroyed within the U.S. and Israeli strikes again in June, the U.S. would “knock them down” as soon as extra.
Whereas the June airstrikes successfully dismantled Iran’s nuclear hubs at Natanz and Fordow — a feat Trump described as “obliteration” — they left a vital hole — Iran’s ballistic missile manufacturing capabilities weren’t absolutely neutralized.
President Trump additionally clarified his stance on potential future army motion, saying he would “completely” assist Israeli strikes if Iran continues its ballistic missile program or tries to speed up its nuclear path. The U.S. response could be “quick” and “rapid,” he asserted.
Regardless of the threats, the U.S. Commander-in-Chief added that he nonetheless believes Tehran needs to make a deal, although he famous that they probably “want they made that deal” earlier than the June strikes occurred.
In response to the remarks, an aide to Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei threatened a “harsh response past creativeness” within the occasion of any new assault on Iran.
Gaza Ceasefire
The Gaza ceasefire, a part of Trump’s broader peace plan, ended large-scale combating following the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, terrorist assault on Israel. Nonetheless, regardless of the primary section halting main hostilities, Israel nonetheless studies ongoing militant actions and delays in hostage stays returns.
The second section envisions Israeli troop withdrawal, Hamas disarmament, institution of interim worldwide governance by means of a “Board of Peace,” and eventual reconstruction below UN oversight.
Nonetheless, variations persist. U.S. officers have expressed frustration with some “Israeli delays,” whereas Netanyahu insists on full completion of prior commitments, together with the return of the final remaining hostage stays.
The first delay stems from the unresolved return of the stays of the final Israeli hostage held in Gaza, recognized as 24-year-old police officer Ran Gvili, who was killed and kidnapped through the 2023 assault. Netanyahu has insisted that Hamas should absolutely full the primary section of the settlement — together with handing over Gvili’s stays — earlier than negotiations or implementation of the second section can proceed.
This can be a core dedication below the October 2025 ceasefire deal, and failure to conform represents a violation by Hamas, Israeli officers added.
However, U.S. officers have additionally reportedly expressed rising frustration with what they understand as Israeli foot-dragging or techniques to stall progress, together with Netanyahu’s linkage of the second section to this single excellent problem.
Previous to assembly Trump, Netanyahu held discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Battle Pete Hegseth. The household of 24-year-old Gvili, whose stays are nonetheless in Gaza, accompanied Netanyahu and met with Trump administration officers as effectively.
Syria
President Trump additionally commented on Syria and its new management following the 2024 ousting of Bashar al-Assad. Trump expressed hope for improved relations between Israel and Syria’s new authorities.
Ahmed al-Sharaa, previously generally known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani, is the President of Syria’s transitional authorities. He rose to energy following the fast collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024, main the army coalition that captured Damascus on December 8, 2024, ending 54 years of Assad household rule.
“I hope he’s [Netanyahu] going to get together with Syria, as a result of the brand new president of Syria is working very arduous to do job. He actually is,” Trump stated. “I do know he’s a troublesome cookie, and also you’re not going to get a choir boy to guide Syria. That’s the one factor I wish to say.”
“I hope they’re going to get alongside. As a result of, you already know, I dropped the sanctions on Syria, as a result of in any other case they wouldn’t have had an opportunity. We wish to see Syria survive, so we’re going to be speaking about Syria too,” he added.
Netanyahu responded by emphasizing Israel’s want for a “peaceable border” with Syria and safety in opposition to terrorism.
Whereas the U.S. has lately embraced al-Sharaa as a stabilizing associate within the battle in opposition to ISIS, Israel has maintained a army presence in a 15-kilometer “buffer zone” inside Syria and has beforehand carried out airstrikes to stop what it describes as “jihadist entrenchment” close to its border.
The Israel Prize
Netanyahu additionally talked about in post-meeting remarks to reporters that he formally introduced Israel’s resolution to award President Trump “the Israel Prize” for his “super contributions to Israel and the Jewish individuals.”
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